Press Review

Diena

journalist Aivars Ozolins criticizes the new draft Language Law in today's (Oct.23) issue of the paper. He focuses on the provisions of the draft Law that restrict universally recognized human rights. Among such provisions is a requirement for a mandatory use of the Latvian language in private businesses, during public gatherings and in "all other public domains" . The author points to other requirements that he calls "stupid". These include a demand for all consumer product tag information to be solely in Latvian.  journalist Aivars Ozolins criticizes the new draft Language Law in today's (Oct.23) issue of the paper. He focuses on the provisions of the draft Law that restrict universally recognized human rights. Among such provisions is a requirement for a mandatory use of the Latvian language in private businesses, during public gatherings and in "all other public domains" . The author points to other requirements that he calls "stupid". These include a demand for all consumer product tag information to be solely in Latvian. DienaDiena Yesterday Baltic Council Commissioner Ole Espersen and Chairman of the

Yesterday Baltic Council Commissioner Ole Espersen and Chairman of the Saeima Committee on Science, Culture and Education Dzintars Abikis reached an agreement on the draft Language Law. The sides agreed that the draft Law would be considered by the Council of Europe and the OSCE Mission to Latvia after it was prepared for the second reading. Chas

Baltic Council Commissioner Ole Espersen in an interview for

Baltic Council Commissioner Ole Espersen in an interview for Diena explained the attention paid to the draft Language Law by the fact that the Law contained provisions stipulating the use of languages in private businesses, interfering with private life and restricting the freedom of speech. The provisions, if implemented, would impede the harmonization of the Latvian society, believes Mr. Espersen. He referred to his meeting with the Head of the Saeima Committee on Science, Education and Culture on the issue two years ago. Mr. Espresen is surprised that the draft Law still remains not amended. He had another meeting with the Head of the Committee (Mr. Abikis) yesterday (Oct.23). Mr. Espersen stressed that the draft Law should undergo basic changes. In his interview Mr. Espersen said that current processes in Latvia were not aimed at integration but rather at assimilation and discord. The Language Law, if adopted in its current form would be another serious obstacle to Latvia s progress toward European Union membership. Diena

Chairman of the

Chairman of the Saeima Committee on Science, Culture and Education Dzintars Abikis in an interview for "SM" said that he did not believe that the Language Law in its final version would contradict international human rights instruments. Mr. Abikis supports granting of citizenship to all children born in independent Latvia and believes that other suggested amendments to the Citizenship Law need thorough consideration. He admitted that two isolated communities (Latvian and Russian-speaking) had formed in Latvia. Still, Mr. Abikis believes that the language barrier will be disappearing gradually with more Russian youths mastering the Latvian language. He supports a gradual transition to the teaching of several courses in the Latvian language in Russian-language schools. Mr. Abikis suggested that in ten years half of the courses could be read in Latvian. SM

Press Review

Press Review

AMBASSADORS DO NOT BELIEVE THE ADOPTION OF THE NEW LANGUAGE LAW TO BE NECESSARY

AMBASSADORS DO NOT BELIEVE THE ADOPTION OF THE NEW LANGUAGE LAW TO BE NECESSARY

(Nellija Locmele)

(Nellija Locmele)

Riga, October 21. During their meeting with Head of the

Riga, October 21. During their meeting with Head of the Saeima Committee on Education, Science and Culture last Tuesday, Ambassadors of European countries questioned the necessity of adopting a new Law on the State Language. Member of the National Minority Council Tatjana Liguta said at the meeting of the Committee that an opinion poll on the draft Law should be done. Last Tuesday the Committee listened to experts' opinions of the new draft Law it is currently working on. Ambassadors of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain and the Ambassador of the European Commission during their meeting with Head of the Committee Dzintars Abikis expressed concern about the consequences of adopting the draft Law. Ambassador of the European Commission Gunter Weiss and Danish Ambassador Michael Metz Morg said that they could not understand the purpose of drafting the new Law on the State Language when amending the existing 1992 Law would be sufficient. Moreover, Latvia may face several problems on an international scale in connection with the new draft Law. A similar opinion was expressed by Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Richard Samuel: "Strict regulation of the use of a language in science and business and science would be complicated and would not be advisable in a free market economy society. Some parts of the draft Law contradict international obligations assumed by Latvia. The Law should inspire but not punish people," believes Mr. Samuel. Mr. Abikis explained that the Saeima was pressed by the society to start reviewing the Law. Head of the Committee had to admit that the most heated discussion was expected in connection with the use of the state language in private businesses. The main problem lies in the extend to which the state would be able to intervene in business activities. "We are to find a compromise decision that would give Latvian employees the right to receive information in the state language. At the same time, this should not impede business activities," believes Mr. Abikis. Ms. Liguta believes that the mass media and the entire society should be welcomed to participate in the discussion of the draft Law the way it was done five years ago. "Only through an open discussion can we inform the society about the objectives pursued by the state," said Ms. Liguta.

"DIENA" has already informed its readers about the discussion of the new Law on the State Language, the objective of the Law being to strengthen the status of the Latvian language. The draft Law was adopted by Maris Gails' Cabinet but it was only last summer when the Saeima adopted its first reading. Diena

Director of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Department Gennady Tarasov said yesterday that Latvian Prime-Minister Krasts' statements insisting on a reference to the 1920 Peace Treaty in the Border Agreement jeopardize the signing of the Agreement. During his press-briefing, Mr. Tarasov noted that opinions expressed by OSCE Commissioner van der Stoel and Baltic Commissioner Espersen arise doubts about the improvement of the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia.

Director of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Department Gennady Tarasov said yesterday that Latvian Prime-Minister Krasts' statements insisting on a reference to the 1920 Peace Treaty in the Border Agreement jeopardize the signing of the Agreement. During his press-briefing, Mr. Tarasov noted that opinions expressed by OSCE Commissioner van der Stoel and Baltic Commissioner Espersen arise doubts about the improvement of the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia. Diena, SM

Thirty thousand persons are still residing in Estonia illegally. The Estonian CID started issuing illegal residents with registration forms valid for six months. Holders of registration forms are to legalize their residence in the country within that term. All Estonian residents except former Russian servicemen can receive Estonian citizenship through naturalization. University and vocational school graduates who have passed tests in Estonian are exempt from naturalization language tests. Estonian citizenship is automatically granted to wives of Estonian citizens (but not to husbands.

Thirty thousand persons are still residing in Estonia illegally. The Estonian CID started issuing illegal residents with registration forms valid for six months. Holders of registration forms are to legalize their residence in the country within that term. All Estonian residents except former Russian servicemen can receive Estonian citizenship through naturalization. University and vocational school graduates who have passed tests in Estonian are exempt from naturalization language tests. Estonian citizenship is automatically granted to wives of Estonian citizens (but not to husbands. Diena

"NEATKARIGA"

and and "CHAS""CHAS" published a photo-copy of a secret KGB file revealing Andrejs Pantelejevs' ( published a photo-copy of a secret KGB file revealing Andrejs Pantelejevs' ("Latvijas Cels""Latvijas Cels") involvement with the KGB. The registration card shows that Mr. Pantelejevs was recruit a secret informer in 1988.) involvement with the KGB. The registration card shows that Mr. Pantelejevs was recruit a secret informer in 1988.

Press Report

A European Commission representative told

A European Commission representative told "DIENA" that the Commission would not give any further recommendations to Latvia on the Citizenship Law. The representative, who asked not to reveal his name in the press, stressed that the EU believed the issue of non-citizens to be an important problem to be resolved by Latvia in the nearest future. The EU expects Latvia to make adequate steps toward solving the problem. "DIENA" contacted other sources in the European Commission on the issue. Ms. Katherine Areskou who is responsible for European Commission information on Latvia refused to give her own opinion on the Latvian Citizenship Law and referred to Agenda 2000, the document being an official opinion of the Commission on the situation in Latvia. Ms. Areskou also added that the Citizenship Law "was a very intricate issue". "We know that the mentioning the issue causes painful reaction in Latvia. "Therefore, we shall not give any further recommendations," said Ms. Areskou. "DIENA" points to a more "liberal" approach to the problem of non-citizens displayed by the European Parliament. The EP mostly focuses on a slow naturalization rate. Diena

The

The Saeima Committee on Human Rights and Social Affairs requested the Prime-Minister to see into the problems of national cultural societies. The societies are facing financial problems and often do not have adequate premises. Chairman of the Committee Mr. Antons Seiksts believes that the current situation may lead to a negative reaction in the countries the minorities originate from. Mr. Ilmars Geige of the Ministry of Justice Department for Religious and Social Affairs admitted that cultural societies needed substantial financial support from the Government. He believes that establishing the Department for the Affairs of Nationalities and allotting additional funds to cultural societies would improve the situation. Diena

An article in

An article in "SM" claims that Latvian politicians deliberately misinform the Latvian society about Russia's reaction to Latvian citizenship policy. Although Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs said that Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov had not paid any special attention to the problem of non-citizens during their meeting in New-York, a statement by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned "concern about the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia" expressed by Mr. Primakov. Russia demands for the observance of Russian-speakers' rights are based on international conventions and recommendations by international institutions. The author of the article forecasts that Russia's economic co-operation with Latvia and the Russian transit policy will fully depend on the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia. SM

Press Report

Diena published excerpts from Mr. Modris Lujans' ("People's Harmony") interview for a Latvian TV program. He said that his party initiated a discussion of amendments to the Citizenship Law hoping to start negotiations on the issue. Mr. Lujans had to admit that the Saeima majority did not have any intentions to see into the matter. He believes that the best solution to the problem of non-citizens would be a "zero option". Mr. Lujans expects the President to support "People's Harmony" initiative and is confident that the party will further on put a special emphasis on the issue of naturalization. He also pointed to juridical problems that appear because of the differences in the legal status of citizens, non-citizens, foreigners permanently residing in Latvia and foreigners who are not permanent residents of the country. He explained objections to changes in the naturalization procedure by "Tevzemei un Brivibai" fearing to lose its seats in the Saeima. Mr. Lujans quoted his colleague Mr. Dozortsev who said that thirty thousand non-Latvians (who could receive citizenship if not for the "window mechanism") would not vote for "TB". Diena

Press Report

Estonia is preparing amendments to its Citizenship Law that would bring it into compliance with OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's recommendations. The draft amendments provide for a simplified naturalization procedure for foreigners' children born in Estonia. The amendments also provide for free pre-testing consultations of applicants for citizenship and for simplified language tests for elderly persons.

Estonia is preparing amendments to its Citizenship Law that would bring it into compliance with OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's recommendations. The draft amendments provide for a simplified naturalization procedure for foreigners' children born in Estonia. The amendments also provide for free pre-testing consultations of applicants for citizenship and for simplified language tests for elderly persons. Diena

Head of the State Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers visited penitentiaries in Daugavpils. In a brief interview for

Head of the State Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers visited penitentiaries in Daugavpils. In a brief interview for "SM" he said that living conditions in those were "acceptable". Still, the main problem is the lack of funds required to isolate inmates suffering from TB and to provide them with suitable medical care. While touching upon the recent attempt to amend the Citizenship Law, Mr. Bruvers expressed hope that the Law will be finally amended. He is surprised by non-citizens being so indifferent to the problem. "Why don't they stand for their rights?"- asked Mr. Bruvers and added that "his Western colleagues often asked the same question." SM

German Minister of Foreign Affairs Kinkel during his visit to Latvia stressed that the Baltic states should maintain friendly and neighborly relations with Russia. In a brief interview for

German Minister of Foreign Affairs Kinkel during his visit to Latvia stressed that the Baltic states should maintain friendly and neighborly relations with Russia. In a brief interview for "SM" he pointed to the importance of resolving the problem of national minorities and said that he had raised the issue during the meetings "with his Latvian colleagues." SM